AN (3/1)- Gadnubit! Johnny didn't win and neither did Pirates. Not that Return of the King didn't deserve all of those awards, but I was hoping Pirates would win at least one.
AN (3/4)- Tis almost Friday! No school for me! By the way, I plan to put my next chapter up next Wednesday, for I have a State Academic Decathelon competition from Thursday to Saturday. Yipee, but not really. I'll spend most of next Friday taking a bunch of icky tests. And I'll have to wait to see Johnny's new movie, Secret Window. The previews look awesome, and I'm sure the whole movie will really speak to me. Anyways, I've babbled enough, so any one who reads these crazy notes is welcome to some pudding or pie. Thanks to everyone who reviewed last chapter.
AN (3/5)- Sorry mates...I spent most of today role playing rather than writing. However, I plan to write for a good solid hour before going to bed.
Chapter 14-Wedding
Jack fidgeted as Bootstrap combed the numerous tangles out of his dark hair. He twitched when the coarse comb hit a particularly tangled mess of hair. He swore as Bootstrap pulled a clump of hair out. "Is this really necessary?" He put his hand to his head and rubbed the sore spot.
Bootstrap sighed, "It would be a lo' easier if ye'd stop twitchin', boy." He grabbed another lock of Jack's fairly long hair. "Ye know tha' no one will believe yer a cleric o' the Church of England if yer hair is as wild as it normally is." Bootstrap clucked his tongue on his teeth while Jack tried to not squirm.
Jack laughed at the comical way Bootstrap was acting. "Ye sound like a girl, mate."
Bootstrap stopped combing Jack's hair for a moment. "I bloody do, don' I?" he asked in amazement. He chuckled for a moment and resumed his nearly completed task.
Jack tried to stay still as Bootstrap combed out the various tangles and such. He sighed, thinking about the charade he was about to do. "Wha' is it tha' I 'ave to say, William? I 'aven't been t' church in ages."
Jack could tell Bootstrap just shrugged. "I don' exactly know, seeing as I've ne'er set foot inside of a church. Jus' fake it."
Jack frowned, thinking how glaringly obvious it would be that he wasn't a cleric. "These aren' the sort of things ye can fake, mate. 'Ow religious is she?"
Bootstrap finished with one of the last locks of hair. "No' very. I don' think tha' ye should worry, Jack. Twill be easy t' fake if ye jus' rush through it all."
Jack faintly sighed. "If ye say so, William." He started moving his hands around out of sheer boredom.
Bootstrap sighed and grabbed the last lockoh hair. It was fashioned into a braid. Bootstrap carefully undid the braid, shocked at how Jack's hair almost refused to be undone. "Jack, why d' ye wear this braid all the time?" He started vigorously combing out the tangled mess, now that the braid was a mess of waves.
Jack shrugged, inside his sanctuary to block out the nerve receptors on his scalp. "No' exactly sure, mate. Seemed t' be a good way to store me valuables an' trinkets of a sentimental value."
Bootstrap just sighed at the cursory reply. He soon managed to get the last of the tangles out and pulled Jack's thick dark hair into a tight ponytail. It was a very common hairstyle during this century. Wigs were popular as well. In fact, some of the more cultured gentlemen even went as far to wear make up and high heels. Thankfully, the inhabitants of the Caribbean were much more conventional and only those in high positions even bothered wearing wigs.
Jack stood up as soon as Bootstrap completed the lengthy process. He smiled, feeling rather odd, indeed, as the tightened hair slightly pulled at his facial muscles. He bowed to the unusually clean Bootstrap. "Ye be a fine stylist, mate. Excuse me while I go an' prepare meself." He left the anxious Bootstrap, who had started combing his own hair dark hair.
The wedding was scheduled to start in about an hour. The thought kept torturing Jack's mind as he paced about in the small room Bootstrap had deposited him in after finishing his own preparations. Jack's mouth was intolerably dry, and he desperately desired some alcohol to wet his palate. Bootstrap had severely admonished him, however, when he tried to broach the subject earlier. Jack was in no mood to make Bootstrap angry today, for the reprecussions would be limitless, so he'd forgotten his feeble attempt.
Jack was no stranger to pretending to be someone else, to be sure, for he'd now become Jack Sparrow with only the slightest hint to his background and upbringing as Jacob Smith. It's not that he was afraid of pretending to be a cleric of the Anglican church, but rather, was afraid that someone could easily tell he wasn't a religious man. Jack hadn't ever felt comfortable in any church and felt no particular bond with the great and all-knowing God.
Jack sighed, his white surplice reflecting off the brightly lit bricks. The blasted thing made him look like a choir boy. Jack cussed, straightening out the robe once more. His apprehension was reaching a fevered pitch. Jack desperately hoped there wouldn't be to many to observe his charade. He glanced out of a small window, his stomach churning with worry. There was already at lest fifty souls out there. Jack jolted as he realized Calico Jack had just arrived, along with half of the crew, looking very odd dressed as respectable members of society.
A knock on the wooden door made him jump. He chuckled at his uneasiness and slowly swaggered to the door. Bootstrap stood there, a disguting look of happiness on his face. Jack groaned. "Time to go, eh, William?"
Bootstrap vigorously nodded. "Tis time to start, mate. Jus' give wha'e'er sermon y' want. I explained to everyone tha' yer a cleric from me parrish an' tha' ye be a bi' unorthodox." He started pulling Jack towards the proccession.
Jack sighed and began walking of his own accord, stepping into the character of a unique clergyman. He kept his unique swagger to a bare minimum. The pair soon reached the designated area. Lauren had chosen the wedding to occur outside. This was a marvelous choice, for they were holding the wedding near South Hampton. The countryside was blooming with flowers releasing a slight perfume into the gentle breeze. There were only a few clouds in the brilliant blue sky, and it was a day of uncharacteristic beauty in late September.
Jack smiled as the proceedings began. He saw Bootstrap smile while the particularly fetching Lauren began walking down the wide aisle between the guests seats. Her virginal white dress flounced along witth each step she took. Jack saw her rosy lips smile as she stopped, her face looking a bit odd because of the customary veil. Jack noticed the man escorting her down the aisle seemed a bit too young to be Lauren's father. The youth's wavy brown hair reflected the sun as he passed Lauren off to the slightly blushing Bootstrap. Jack supposed the young man was probably Lauren's brother.
A hush fell over the assembled guests. Jack tried ignoring the curious looks Calico Jack was giving him as he tried to work out what he wanted to say. He coughed and began the deluge that had formed in his mind. "Marriage is what brings us together today." Jack paused, his dark brown eyes shining with suppressed amusement. "We are abou' to witness the union of these fine souls. This exemplary curmudgeon is about to marry the girl of 'is dreams." He smiled, joining their hands together for them.
Lauren softly giggled, her dark brown eyes so full of love that Jack had to struggle to not pull a face. He looked across the throng assembled and winked at a particularly cute bridesmaid. She winked back and Jack continued. "Well, there be no sense in stalling any longe , tis obvious these two are anxious fer me to continue." The congregation chuck ed and the couple in front of him blushed.
Jack turned to face Bootstrap. "William Turner, do you swear to honor, cherish, care for, and love Lauren through sickness or health, in poverty or wealth, in good moods or bad ones, and in the best as well as the worst of times until death do you part?" Jack mentally kicked himself for not paying more attention at other weddings. Most of the crowd was anxiously awaiting Bootstrap's response, but a few were giving Jack odd looks.
Bootstrap smiled, his gold inlayed teeth sparkling from the sunlight. "I sure do," he said while he stared into Lauren's brown eyes.
"Oh, good then." Jack smiled and turned to Lauren. "Lauren Porter, do you take William to be your husband in sickness or health, in poverty or wealth, in good times or bad, and in the best and worst of times?" He blinked and added, "And to do all of this while loving and cherishing him?"
Lauren smiled, her brown eyes releasing tears of joy. "I do," she said rather fervently.
Jack grinned mischieviously, trying not to flinch at the amount of sickening love before him. "If there be any objections to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace." Jack waited for several moments, now noticing the sky had turned an angry gray. The wind picked up abruptly as Jack yelled, "I now pronounce you man an' wife. Ye may now kiss the bride." The heavens opened, stinging the congregation with angry rain. Bootstrap and Lauren seemed not to notice as they kissed as "husband and wife."
The guests soon ran for cover inside the church. Jack remained with the couple, anxious to say goodbye to Bootstrap before his honeymoon. He was soon soaking wet. Bootstrap and Lauren finally parted. Bootstrap motioned Lauren to the waiting carriage and looked at Jack, his eyes far too full of happiness. Once Lauren was in the carriage, her white dress soaked, Bootstrap smiled and quickly embraced Jack,, mumuring, "I'll see ye in abou' two weeks, unless ye leave before then. If tha' be the case, I'll head to Tortuga to wait." Bootstrap smiled and rushed to the carriage before Jack had a chance to say anything.
Jack stared as the carriage rolled off. Once it had dissappeared over the bend in the road, he slowly started walking back up to the church, anxious to dry up a bit.
Jack had miraculously managed to reach the small room with extra vestments after giving off a report the couple were now underway. It had been fairly difficult to get away from all the happy guests, but Jack had managed to. He quickly shut the door and stripped his wet clothes off. A slight giggle made him pivot around abruptly. The bridesmaid he'd winked at earlier was in here as well, her blue dress lying on a table to get dry. She was in her underclothing, staring at him with seductive green eyes. Her blonde hair was dripping, yet still appealing in appearance.
"Why, Father, this is why you should check before undressing." She fluttered her eyelashes demurely.
Jack grinned, slightly embarrassed. He was glad he was still wearing a bit of clothing. "I shall remember that, m'lady."
The girl walked up to him, quickly kissing him on the cheek. "Me name's Courtney." She walked behind him and began massaging his shoulders.
Jack grinned and faced her. "I be Jack Sparrow, luv. Ye sure tha' ye want to do this?" Courtney nodded and the two began doing things a clergyman shouldn't do.
Jack looked over at the door in surprise. He'd forgotten to lock it and an older woman was studying what was happening, a look of disgust on her wrinkled face. "What are you doing to my daughter?" she asked in horror.
Jack looked at Courtney, a look of puzzlement on his face. Courtney stared at him, pleading with him to make it better. "Ah, she and I, er, were having a discussion on King David, an' I was demonstratin' wha' 'e was like." He glanced over at the horrified woman.
She snorted and started running through the house, screaming, "The cleric violated my daughter! Call the soldiers to dispose of the imposter!"
Jack groaned and hastily dressed, ignoring Courtney's feeble attempts at an apology. He grabbed his effects and rushed out of the room.
A chuckle to his left made him momentarily stop. Calico Jack was standing there, a look of laughter on his face. "Certainly handled tha' well, boy."
Jack rolled his eyes and started running again. Calico Jack did as well. "I couldn' resist, mate." Jack hastily opened the front door.
Calico Jack laughed. He ran out of the door and led Jack towards the beach, five or so miles away.
Calico Jack opened the door to a solitary cottage and stepped in. Jack followed suit, panting a bit from the exertions. The pair hastily caught their breath and Calico Jack sat down in one of two identical chairs. He motioned for Jack to comply, which the young man hastily complied in doing.
Calico Jack cleared his throat. "Tha' was quite the charade ye pulled, mate. I'm a bit surprised tha' they believed ye as long as they did." His dark brown eyes twinkled with laughter.
Jack nodded and grinned. "Surprised me as well. Tis fortunate tha' ye were waitin' for me, eh? I jus' got a bit distracted."
Calico Jack laughed for a moment, but his eyes were suddenly all business. "Took me quite a while t' find ye, boy. I 'ave somethin' for ye." He stood and grabbed a bag on the polished table several paces to his left. He rummaged around in it as Jack tried to possibly guess what it was. Calico Jack's eyes grew triumphant as he extracted a small bundle and letter. He turned around and handed them to Jack. "Read the note firs'. I don' e'en know wha' it is, bu' it's from yer mum." Calico Jack sat down.
Jack carefully opened the letter, noting that the seal hadn't been broken. He carefully began reading.
"Dear son or daughter,
I am writing this with the knowledge that you are growing inside of me. If you are getting this letter, I am sure it is because I have died. Those are the instructions I will leave with my faithful love, John Rackham, respectfully called Captain Calico Jack. It is a pity that I don't plan to tell him he is your father, for I don't want to have him worried with your well being.
It was a hard choice for me to decide to leave the Black Pearl, but I figured it would be the best for you. I hope you realize how much I love you, even though you aren't even close to being born yet.
Inside the package is something I picked up a while ago in Nassau. It is a broken compass, to the naked eye, but if you use it correctly, it will lead youto what you desire most. I assume it means something about treasure, but I'm notcertain. Feel free to look for this treasure, but I expect you to figure out how to use the compass.
All my love,
Sandra"
Jack's eyes had the faintest hint of tears in them as he opened the package. He quickly folded the yellowed letter and placed it inside his shirt, close to his heart. He opened the compass, puzzled by this new mystery to be solved.
Calico Jack coughed. "So, wha' did the letter say?" He peered anxiously into Jack's eyes.
Jack opened his mouth, suddenly wondering how he hadn't made the connection before. His own eyes were the same as his father's. "Nothin' much, cap'n. She jus' tole me a bit abou' this compass." Jack decided it was best not to tell Calico Jack what else he had read. This was one secret he would keep for his mother.
Calico Jack seemed slightly dissapointed. "Well, can I see th' compass?" Jack nodded and handed the curious compass over. Calico Jack glanced over it and sighed. "Ah, yes, I remember tha' Sandra 'as always tryin' to figure this out. I'm glad tha' she decided t' pass it on to ye." He handed it back to Jack.
Jack grinned as he studied the compass. It could potentially lead to great accomplishments, indeed. He placed it with his effects and began to smile, grateful his mother had finally answered who his father was. It explained a lot, to be sure.
Ms. Baldwin- Thank ye for the praise! I love solving mysteries and such. Have a cookie!
Courtney- Aye...an' I made ye one as well. Have a cookie.
starwarsfreakford- Thanks for the emphatic support! Have a cookie!
Captain Sarah Parker- Thanks, mate! I'm glad ye had the guts to read it, and leave a review. Have a cookie!
WaNdA- I know! I'm so glad Johnny at least won a SAG award...small conselation. Have the ever customary cookie.
Daisy- I'm sorry, luv! I won't let it happen again, I promise. And have some cheese covered strawberries.
meggumscat- Larry boy! I mean, thank you! Have 2 cookies, just to keep things even, yet again.
devilishangel- Thankee! Have some cookies, or some cake! I love new reviewers!
Shoyrusky12- Thanks, mate! I'm afraid of him not sounding human, so I throw in a whole bunch of nonsense. Have a cookie, and see you at the board.
Chaos- Thank you! Silly fanfiction...I was a bit worried about the lack of reviews I was recieving. I always look forward to reading yours! Hsave some more cookies!
pingpong5-Thankee! It was just a brilliant flash of insight...and you will eventually find out who Jodi really married. It's quite a shocker.